Loyola's service learning programs highlighted in U.S. News & World Report

Loyola University New Orleans was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s best for providing student experiences that focus on success. The publication highlighted Loyola’s commitment to their service learning programs, which bring education to life by connecting the classroom to community needs.

“As the only Jesuit institution in the service learning category, we are committed to the idea that learning is not restricted to the classroom, and that volunteer work in the field only increases the academic experience,” said Loyola President Rev. Kevin Wm. Wildes, S.J., Ph.D.

Loyola has partnered with more than 35 local community agencies, ranging from Bayou Rebirth to Casa Oportunidades Nola and teachNOLA, which all provide students and faculty with real life learning experiences that can’t be taught in the classroom.

“We believe that service learning is important because it offers personal growth and development for our students and offers them a greater understanding of social responsibility in the community,” said Office of Service Learning Director Kelly Brotzman. “It also takes the theories and ideas that they study in the classroom and turns them into real life experiences. What is most telling is that more than 90 percent of all of our students that have participated in service learning say the experience has made them care more about New Orleans and given them a closer connection to the community.”

The university is also applying for designation as a “Community Engagement” university by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The Carnegie distinction was created to recognize colleges with a campus-wide culture of reaching out to the community and building mutually beneficial relationships. The Carnegie Foundation is reviewing Loyola’s application and will make a final decision in December 2010.